Summary

In these hard times, we can all stand a ray of hope. Hope in our hip-hop now comes from the legendary Q-Tip, he of A Tribe Called Quest fame. His long-delayed album 'Kamaal the Abstract', slated originally for release in 2001, is finally dropping September 15th on Battery Records. A musical hybrid, Kamaal was commendably avant-garde at the time of its creation. Amazingly, it's even more apropos in 2009; given the death of musical merit and capable MCs in today's hip-hop, the time is ever-so-right for Tip.

Kamaal The Abstract is an intensly idiosyncratic and revealing record. To that end, Q-Tip produced the entire album himself, even playing several instruments. What comes from Kamaal is a daring melange of soul, supa-cool jazz, headnodding hip-hop, and organic pop magic in the vein of Stevie Wonder or Prince. Check for the superlative figures of saxophonist Kenny Garrett, a one-time member of Miles Davis' ensemble, on the breathy "Abstractionisms," or the fluid flute lines of Gary Thomas, another Davis sideman, on "Do U Dig U." Elsewhere, not Tip's ambitious production, arrangements, and even sung stylings.

But make no mistake: Kamaal the Abstract still boasts all the earmark of Q-Tip's inimitable mic control. Listen to him blaze through a spiced narrative on "Even If It Is So," or paint vivid images on "Blue Girl." The album has been re-mixed and re-mastered for sonic impact!

Q-tip is internationally known with a strong fan base and huge following from his solo career as well as A Tribe Called Quest. He has also appeared in several films such as 1993's 'Poetic Justice' and 2008's 'Cadillac Records.'

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Name:
hassan
(Posted:
5/7/2012 2:50:00 AM; Partial IP: 17.170.132)Location: Chicago
Comment: this is a heartbeaker. he need to get phid and ali back to put out that good soulful music. I hope his new label suggest that.

Name:
J-Aura
(Posted:
12/13/2009 11:34:00 PM; Partial IP: 87.104.127)Location: from NC, now in Los Angeles
Comment: I guess since SO many people are sleepin on this highly-crafted album, I gotta drop another comment. Definitely... the song "Blue Girl"... I can literally put that song on repeat by itself and listen to it continuously all day. The same goes for a lot of songs up here. My next wonder is how Q-Tip could possibly top both The Renaissance AND Kamaal The Abstract.

Name:
J-Aura
(Posted:
11/23/2009 4:29:00 PM; Partial IP: .87.105.50)Location: from NC, now in Los Angeles
Comment: Definitely NOT wack. In fact, it's topping the list of Best Albums of 2009. Truly innovative beat production through Blues and Jazz, presented in Hip-Hop form. The subject matter is so SOULFUL and on another level, it might go WAY over someone's head if they are lookin for some type of mainstream appeal. This album is strictly for the LISTENERS. "Blue Girl", "Abstractionisms", and "Do U Dig U" are true timeless classics...

Name:
J-Aura
(Posted:
10/3/2009 7:19:00 PM; Partial IP: .170.50.24)Location: from NC, now in Los Angeles
Comment: It's a HOT DAMN shame that this album was not released back in 2001, but I guess that's how the industry likes to shit on n*ggas if you ain't got any commercial hits. This album is definitely a breath of fresh air. It's not as lyrical as The Renaissance, but it packs an opposite-but-equal punch like a one-two from Floyd Mayweather. Now I ask you, "what is an ear if Q-Tip isn't in it?!"

Name:
Matt
(Posted:
10/3/2009 10:58:00 AM; Partial IP: .19.147.65)Location: Boston
Comment: Wasnt expecting this but I do like it, only one track I have to skip is "barely in love" ...'tip shouldnt sing. The album as a whole feels fresher than "the renaissance", and is a must for tribe fans.

Name:
Daneja Mentale
(Posted:
9/27/2009 8:25:00 PM; Partial IP: 71.160.158)Location: Phenix City, Al.
Comment: This album is not for those fickle rap fans. you know the ones that love you one minute then hate you when you expand. I had a promo copy of this in 05 and honestly I didn't like it, but it grew on me. now that it has been released to public, I went out and copped it. I love the flow of jazz and hip hop on here. my only problem was his singing. overall, the CD is nice.

Name:
JAYDEE72
(Posted:
9/25/2009 2:18:00 PM; Partial IP: 171.105.56)Location: WEST LOS ANGELES , CA
Comment: 37 yr old underground head straight up!! Been listening to hip hop scenes breaking on a card board box was hot. People need to recognize that Q-tip is a pioneer of this wack ass game we call hip hop today. Yes I can say and agree with critics that this is not of the norm for the listening ear when it come's to a Tribe Called Quest, but its not Tribe Called Quest its "Q" on a solo tip and that's what most people seem to forget. As a musician my self I can speak on this to say that creatively "Q" is on a different level muscly and that's whats ringing in his head today. Don't for one second think that he can't rip you a new one lyrically cause he can. He is one of the greats. Props to "Q" on this solo project.

Name:
Togusa
(Posted:
9/3/2009 9:15:00 AM; Partial IP: 99.0.233.3)Location: Washington, DC
Comment: His last LP was dope. It was one of the few CD's that I purchased coming from the Hip-Hop scene. Hopefully this one is just as good as his last album.

Name:
A-$
(Posted:
8/31/2009 12:13:00 AM; Partial IP: .67.130.14)Location: bean
Comment: Q-Tip and Phif need to come out with a new album. But this release should be very good, alot of music I have already heard, but you stil got to support the legends in the game. Tribe Called Quest is still the best hip hop group of all time next to Wu Tang Clan. Oh Ya and one more shameless plugg....
Fuck Joe Budden
Peace to Joel Ortiz- he is dope

Name:
Vocab
(Posted:
8/12/2009 2:30:00 PM; Partial IP: 25.121.246)Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Comment: Im def copping, been hoping this would get released for a long time, not somthing that everyone will need to own but for Tip fans its a fantastic add to any collection

Name:
Lpac
(Posted:
8/4/2009 1:26:00 PM; Partial IP: 4.1.244.42)Location: UK
Comment: Damn was hoping this was the abstract from 1996 'beats rhymes and life' era, but this will be dodgy

Name:
LARS
(Posted:
8/3/2009 8:39:00 AM; Partial IP: 4.10.46.64)Location: stockhom, sweden
Comment: I love Q Tip but this album was really "xtra sweet". After being bootlegged for 8 years, what else can he offer us here? A least Large Pro reissued "the LP" with new unheard joints and cleaned up "Queens Lounge" off the bootleg...but this seems like the same joint we could get for free for 8 years and now he wants to charge us for it. This should have been a giveaway with Tip's Line At The Renn. (which was one of the best albums to be released in a long time & possibly his best solo effort) If you are into hearing some metro sexual hip hop, then pick this up. Q Tip's singing is absolute terrible on this one, at least his singing coach has got him sounding 1000% better these days.

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